RT Safety Standard C6 Cranes and Lifting Standard ... - MIRMgate

3.6. Loads must not swing over people or occupied buildings and no person shall be under a
suspended load or in a position where they could be struck by a falling load. Where there is a
risk of a load falling and striking a person, barricading or similar controls to prevent access must
be in place.
3.7. The operator shall not leave the crane controls while a load is suspended.
3.8. Overhead travelling cranes must be fitted with audible travel alarms or an equivalent warning
device.
3.9. Tag lines must be attached to loads that require steadying or guidance while suspended. The
load must be well secured and properly balanced in the sling or lifting device.
3.10. There must be a documented and approved method for communication between the crane
driver and those assisting with the lift.
3.11. A procedure must be in place to prevent the use of lifting or rigging equipment in lifting
operations if such equipment has been used for towing.
3.12. Mobile cranes must have a rating capacity chart fixed in a position visible to the crane operator
or available in the crane cabin.
3.13. Operator control stations for vehicle-mounted cranes must be located in an area protected from
swinging loads and from the crane jib.
3.14. Slew pins must be secured in place in mobile cranes while travelling.
3.15. Slewing to test the integrity of outriggers on mobile cranes must be conducted prior to
commencing lifts.
4.0 Maintenance and Inspection
4.1. A register of cranes, hoists, rigging attachments and lifting slings must be established.
4.2. Any crane brought to site must have a current test certificate and a pre-use safety inspection to
ensure the crane is fit for purpose. As a minimum, this inspection must satisfy regulatory and
manufacturer requirements for frequency of inspection and physical condition of the machine.
4.3. There must be a system for the inspection, maintenance and approval of lifting equipment,
including a process that verifies the equipment is able to function to its design specifications and
the integrity of:
• Mechanical and electrical components
• Controls for each piece of lifting or rigging equipment
• Crane cables and all lifting attachments
• Structural components of the hoist, brakes, wheels, hooks, hook-blocks and rails
• Integrity of load limiting devices, safety devices, limit switches and control systems required
for individual equipment e.g. independent fail-safe braking systems, a device to stop the
crane such as a “dead-persons” switch, and emergency shut-off switch.
4.4. Inspections and repairs to cranes, cables and lifting equipment must comply with the
manufacturers specifications and regulatory requirements as a minimum.
4.5. Records of maintenance inspections and cable tests must be kept.
5.0 Training
5.1 Personnel must be trained, competent and authorised if they operate cranes; set-up or rig loads;
provide signals for controlling lifts; or inspect, maintain or test cranes, hoists, personnel cages,
lifting or rigging equipment.
5.2 There must be a system for establishing minimum operating time, frequency of operation and
testing to ensure competency for each class of crane.
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Final 02/08/2004 EJDK/rd Safety Standard C6 Cranes and Lifting Equipment Page 2 of 2